Billboard Hot 100 Chart – Week of July 14, 1962

1. Roses Are Red (My Love) – Bobby Vinton

“Roses Are Red (My Love)” reached #1 this week, giving Bobby Vinton his first major breakthrough at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s gentle melody and schoolroom-poem simplicity helped make it one of the most memorable romantic pop hits of 1962.

Vinton’s voice was smooth, sincere, and easy to believe. He did not need a dramatic arrangement or a wild vocal performance. The record worked because it felt direct and heartfelt, the kind of song that could connect with teenagers and older listeners at the same time.

This was also the beginning of Bobby Vinton’s rise as one of the decade’s most reliable pop balladeers. “Roses Are Red” opened the door for a long run of romantic hits, and it showed that traditional pop still had a strong place on the Hot 100 even as dance records and rock and roll continued to grow.

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2. The Stripper – David Rose and His Orchestra

After reaching #1 the previous week, “The Stripper” slipped to #2 but remained one of the most recognizable records on the chart. Its bold brass sound and theatrical personality made it stand apart from almost everything else on pop radio.

David Rose and His Orchestra gave listeners an instrumental that was playful, sly, and instantly memorable. The record had no lyrics, but it created a complete mood from the opening notes. That was one reason it became such a lasting piece of pop culture.

Its continued strength at #2 showed that instrumental hits still mattered in 1962. Before the decade became dominated by vocal groups, soul stars, and British bands, orchestral pop could still claim space near the very top of the Hot 100.

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3. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles

Ray Charles held steady at #3 with “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” continuing one of the most important chart runs of the year. Even after leaving #1, the record still sounded powerful, emotional, and deeply connected to listeners.

The song’s strength came from the way Charles blended musical traditions. Country songwriting, gospel feeling, soul phrasing, and pop production all came together in one unforgettable performance. It was not just a hit record; it was a crossover moment that changed expectations.

By this point in 1962, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” had already proven its importance. Its presence in the Top 3 showed that Ray Charles had reached far beyond one audience. He was helping reshape what mainstream American pop could include.

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4. The Wah Watusi – The Orlons

The Orlons made one of the week’s biggest moves as “The Wah Watusi” jumped from #14 to #4. That kind of climb showed how quickly dance records could catch fire in 1962, especially when they had a catchy rhythm and a title that sounded like fun.

The song fit perfectly into the early 1960s dance craze era. Records did not just give people something to hear; they gave them something to do. “The Wah Watusi” had that bright Cameo-Parkway energy that made it feel ready-made for parties, gyms, teen dances, and summer radio.

For The Orlons, this record was a major breakthrough. It helped place the group among the early 1960s vocal acts that brought rhythm, personality, and dance-floor excitement to the pop charts.

5. Sealed With A Kiss – Brian Hyland

Brian Hyland’s “Sealed With A Kiss” climbed from #12 to #5 this week, bringing a sadder, more reflective sound into the Top 5. While “The Wah Watusi” was made for movement, “Sealed With A Kiss” was built around longing.

The song captured the feeling of summer separation, with its promise of letters and memories holding two people together while they were apart. Hyland’s soft vocal gave the record a fragile quality that helped it stand out from the louder hits around it.

“Sealed With A Kiss” became one of the defining teen ballads of the early 1960s. Its success showed that even during a season filled with dance records and upbeat pop, a quiet heartbreak song could still rise quickly and leave a lasting impression.

More Weeks at #1 for “Roses Are Red (My Love)”

This song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore each chart week below: